In 1866 Lorenzo B. Swartwout co-founded Three Rivers Manufacturing Co. with his brother. By 1875 the brothers had left that business, and in 1876 Lorenzo was operating on his own as L. B. Swartwout. He remained in business until at least 1891. Swartwout made railroad supplies (such as car wheels), plus sawmill machinery and a turbine water wheel.
From December 1887 "American Mail & Export Journal"
Information Sources
- The American Mail and Export Journal for August, 1887 carried this brief notice: "Foreign buyers are requested to sent to L. B. Swartwout, Three Rivers, Mich., U. S. A., for illustrated descriptions of saw-mill machinery manufactured by him. Mr. Swartwout makes a specialty of gang edgers, lath machines, lumber trimmers, water-wheels, &c. Price-lists will be sent on application."
- From The Railroad, Telegraph, and Steamship Builders' Directory, 1888: a listing under wood-working machinery for "Swartwout, K. B., Three Rivers, Mich. " The same issue carries a full-page ad for L. B. Swartwout, but the ad only mentions their car wheels and cars.
- Ad in March 1891 The Wood-Worker. "My lath mills are the best in the world."